Wine Tasting + Sage Green Cowl

Earlier this week I finished a sage green neckie to match a hat I received in a swap package (seen here). I really love this pattern! It's quick to knit up, and easy to wear with the single button closure. This wool felt really soft to the touch while I was working on it, but when I put it up to my neck, it was really scratchy. Solution: soak the finished neckie in warm water with hair conditioner - worked like a charm!

Yesterday was a beautiful day after a week of heavy rain. To enjoy the perfect weather, we went to a couple wineries in Malibu for some wine tasting! One of my favorite ways to spend a day! =D

Yesterday marked the completion of my second week following the "Couch to 5K" running program! I'm honestly so proud of myself for staying on track - I haven't missed a day yet. Unfortunately, yesterday was also the first time I got shin splints since starting the program. I'm prone to getting them easily so I was kind of shocked that I hadn't yet. I'm hoping my body will adjust and I'll get them less often.

Now back to my lazy Sunday filled with reality TV and a current WIP...

Ahh.. Fresh Bread!

When I first got a bread maker last year as a wedding present, I used it ALL the time. For the last year its been stored on the top shelf of our pantry, collecting dust. This week has been wet and rainy so I decided to take it down, dust it off, and use it again. Seriously, I forgot how much I love it! It's the lazy bread-baker's best friend. Throw the ingredients in, set it & forget it, then enjoy an amazingly delicious loaf of bread with no work at all. It baked while we were out running errands and coming home to the aroma of freshly baked bread is an amazing thing! This one was a Dill French Bread loaf. Yum! Next on my list is cinnamon raisin bread.

This weeks' completed crochet projects were a green cloche hat for a Ravelry swap:

And another burgandy hooded cowl like this one:

The cowl is for an etsy trade with Alice at VintageMarmalade. In return, I'm receiving this adorable vintage sundress! It should be on my doorstep tonight when I get home from work and I can't wait to try it on!

Alice's shop is super cute, and she's currently having a sale! Who can resist a good sale?

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

A Trip Down Memory Lane

For the last 4 hours, since I've been home from work, I've been glued to my computer. I got sucked into looking at, scanning, and posting to facebook a TON of old dance photos. Starting at 1994 through high school. It's been such a trip and it's so fun to share them with old friends through FB. Here are a couple of my favorites that I'd like to share with you!

My first year of dance, we called it "The Aladdin Dance" (1994) There were chiffon pants to match too!

Such a competition dancer (2001)

One of my favorite tap pieces (1999)

And of course Wade Robson... You can often see him now on "So You Think You Can Dance" but back then he wasn't that well known outside of the dance community. My dancer friends and I were completely obsessed with him when we were young teens. Some girls crushed on Justin Timberlake... we crushed on Wade. We would go every Friday to Hollywood (our moms would drive us of course!) and take a master class from him. We thought we were so cool! haha

We even saw Arjay Smith who we knew from "The Journey of Allen Strange" (a Nickelodeon show) at one of the master classes.

Don't you just love reminiscing over old photos?

I've been featured!

My "Bohemian chic slouch hat" has been featured in an etsy treasury! =D

You can check it out here:

Etsy Treasury

I hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend!

I'm... running? me?

This is the first week that I am following the "Couch to 5K" running plan! If you would've asked me last year, last month, or even last week if I'd like to go for a jog, I probably would've laughed at you. But, I'm doing it! I found this awesome podcast that goes right along with the running program. It plays really pumped up music and tells you when to run, and when to walk. Really helpful so that you're not constantly looking at a watch. Last night was the second night of the first week. It was a lot harder for me to get through, but I did it! Izzie comes with me and she keeps up really well! This is the first time I've ever pursued running, if you have any tips or tricks to share, I'd love to hear them!

This week I finished another pair of mitts for a swap package:

After a full journey around the country, I received one of my travelling scarves back!!

Isn't it awesome?!? I just how it turned out! Couldn't be happier! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Recent Celebrations

Last week was a blast! On Wednesday I took the day off work and went to Disneyland with my wonderful friend Kelly. Here are some pictures of the fun we had at the "happiest place on earth!"

Waiting for the tram to take us to the park. We were very excited!

Enjoying a margarita in California Adventure

To infinity, and beyond!!

Then on Friday we visited Jena's new, adorable, apartment.

And celebrated Lani's birthday at a wine bar in Pasadena

So much fun!!

So far I've been good about some goals, but not others. I've been avidly reading my bible nightly and exercising more (wii fit and going to the gym). My eating habits still need improvement. I really struggle at night, after dinner, with snacking on crap. Last night I decided to take a BOSU total body conditioning class... it was the hardest class I've ever taken in my life! I'm not usually a quitter, but I only lasted 15 minutes in that class. For those of who aren't familiar with the BOSU ball, its that half balance ball with a flat underside, seen here. The class consisted of step exercises, jumping on the ball, balancing etc. The balancing I could handle, but the constant stepping, kicking, and jumping scared the crap out of me. If you're not perfectly balanced on that ball, you're going down! After coming off an ankle injury over a year ago, I was afraid I would roll my ankle and fall flat on my face, lol. With shaky thighs, I didn't think my balance would last much longer and a new injury would not be fun. So, I hung my head in shame and booked it out of the room as fast as I could!

Hats! Hats! Hats!

Here are a couple more hats for custom orders!

This earflap cap was made with Lions Brand Homespun yarn. It's a little more pricey than most, but is luxuriously soft and snugly. My leftovers would make an incredible scarf or cowl!

I also made a simple grey slouch hat for a co-worker. I'm thinking I may need one for myself too!

Newest Creation

Another pair of fingerless mitts! These were made for my mom to give as a Christmas present to one of her coworkers. I love this pattern, it's the second pair I've made from it. The pattern uses a sock yarn (this one was self striping) which makes a really snug and stretchy mitt. I just love how they fit and are not bulky at all!

On Surviving the Holidays & New Year Resolutions

I'm not quite sure how I got through the holidays this year, but I'm sure glad they're over! I don't say that in a "bahumbug" kind of way, but this year was very stressful! This was the first year I truly felt like an adult and wasn't incredible giddy or excited over Christmas. It's kind of sad actually, I usually enjoy being in the Christmas spirit. This year I had so much to do that I didn't even have time for Christmas baking or mailing out Christmas cards, a couple of things I look forward to! From the church boutique, to custom orders I have been crocheting up a storm! I never would've imagined that my shop would take off as much as it did this Christmas. I've almost hit 60 orders! Very exciting & loving every minute of it! Although I will admit, while working full time and taking night classes, it was hard to keep up. Now, I can take a deep breath and work on getting my Christmas swap packages out! =P

My favorite and most unexpected present this year was a Wii game console and Wii Fit!! I'm loving it, even thought it made my Mii character chubby! lol

One of the many "joys" of family get togethers is anticipating the comments we will get from my crazy Greek Aunts. They have no filter and love to point out when you've put on a few pounds. Last Easter I got asked if I was pregnant. NO, I've just gained weight, thanks! This year my gorgeous cousin was told that she looks 80! What does that even mean? Brandon often gets told that "married life is agreeing with him" while they pat his stomach. Good times! A big "thank you" goes out to my cousins (and wine) for making these holidays bearable!

I have many things to be thankful for from 2009. It was last January that my husband and I purchased our first home. It was also this past May that we adopted Izzie! I am thankful for a steady job amongst economic turmoil and for my ever growing etsy shop! 2009 brought about many changes in my life and I foresee 2010 to do the same! After all, it should be this upcoming Fall semester that I *finally* get into nursing school!

Now, onto my resolutions. I have quite a few this year, but many of them go hand in hand.

1) I want to look and feel confident in my appearance. This is a multifaceted resolution:

a) I want to lose 25-30lbs.

b) I need to wake up early enough to have a morning routine. No more rolling out of bed with 10 minutes to spare, throwing my hair in a messy bun and leaving the house looking like a mess.

c) workout & actually *use* my gym membership. This will be broken down in smaller, more manageable weekly goals. It will also include using my new Wii Fit! =P

d) not letting outside opinions get to me

e) eat better, plan out meals, and "pick" at snacks and junk food less

2) Make God, reading my bible, and going to church a priority

a) Love God, love people.

b) really get involved, volunteer.

I've been debating whether or not to take (dance) classes this Spring semester. Should I take a semester off before starting nursing school? Or, should I take dance for fun, even though it ties up my nights? Any thoughts? Which would you chose?